Interspecific tree named ‘Flora&#39;s Flavor’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of large size, yellow flesh fruit.   3. Fruit with an attractive dark purple skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit with good storage and shipping quality.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘Flora's Flavor’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known tous, and mentioned herein, ‘Flavorich’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,546), ‘Honey Punch’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,596), theproprietary non-patented interspecific plums ‘147LB395’ and ‘4G1180’ andthe proprietary non-patented plum ‘24EB412’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was developed by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. from a firstgeneration cross between ‘Flavorich’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,546) and the proprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selection‘147LB395’. The pollen parent ‘147LB395’ originated from crosses betweenthe proprietary non-patented plum seedling selection ‘24EB412’ and theproprietary non-patented interspecific seedling selection ‘4G1180’. Alarge number of these first generation seedlings were planted andmaintained on their own root system and under close and carefulobservation we recognized the desirable fruit and tree characteristicsof the present variety and selected it in 1994 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 1994 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety ofinterspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard locatednear Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit areestablished and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific tree is of largesize, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer oflarge size, clingstone fruit with an attractive dark purple skin color.The fruit is further characterized by its firm, yellow flesh, very goodflavor and eating quality with good handling and shipping ability. Incomparison to its seed parent ‘Flavorich’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 8,546) the fruit of the new variety is approximately 27 days laterin maturity and has a globose shape compared to elongated. In comparisonto its proprietary non-patented interspecific pollen parent ‘147LB395’the fruit of the new variety is approximately 10 days earlier inmaturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Honey Punch’Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,596) the fruit of the new varietyis approximately 12 days later in maturity and has yellow flesh comparedto red.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 20 year old tree and the colors are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 20 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width            for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with different            cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first            growing season. Varies with cultural practices, soil type,            fertility and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright growth, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set            varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 20 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 850 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 59.4 cm at 27.9 cm above            ground on a 20 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age of            tree.        -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 5/1 to 10YR 5/1.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 14.0 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 93 in a 25.8 square cm area.            Average length 2.9 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color 2.5YR            4/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 8/6 to 2.5GY 7/6. Old            growth varies from 7.5R 3/6 to 7.5R 4/6, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 96.8 mm. Average width            46.2 cm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Small to medium. Average length 13.8 mm. Average            width 1.6 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous.            Color varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 7.5R 3/6.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — medium to large. Average            length 1.0 mm. Average diameter 0.6 mm. Number varies from 1            to 2, average number 2. Located primarily on the base of the            leaf blade and upper portion of the petiole. Color varies            from 10Y 7/4 to 2.5GY 7/4.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 9.9 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 2.5GY 6/4 to 5GY 5/4.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/4 to 7.5GY 3/4. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 2.5GY 8/4 to 2.5GY 7/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 7.9 mm. Average diameter 5.5 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Very dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 8.3 mm. Average width 0.6 mm.            Surface — glabrous. Color 5GY 6/10.        -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average number 10, varies from 2 to            17.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 28, 2016. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 9, 2016, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average height 11.8 mm. Average diameter 23.0            mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            medium to large. Average length 10.9 mm. Average width            8.9 mm. Form — elliptical. Arrangement — free. Petal apex —            rounded. Petal base — truncated. Margin — sinuate. Color N            9.5/(white). Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            medium. Average length 3.6 mm. Average width 2.1 mm. Shape —            triangular. Apex — triangular. Margin — entire. Both upper            and lower surfaces glabrous. Color — upper surface 5GY 6/8.            Lower surface 5GY 6/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 26. On average, the            stamens are above the height of the petals. Average filament            length 8.4 mm. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color            1.25YR 5/12.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color 1.25YR            5/12.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally 1. Average length 10.1 mm.            Position of stigma an average of 1.2 mm above anthers.            Surface — glabrous. Color 5GY 9/4.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate aroma.        -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).        -   Pedicel.—Average length 9.6 mm. Average width 0.7 mm.            Surface — glabrous. Color 5GY 6/10.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from            1 to 3.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 30, 2016.        -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 9, 2016, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 57.7 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 62.2 mm. Average weight 150.5            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped.        -   Ventral surface.—Slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded. Average depth 5.0 mm. Average diameter            3.6 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 16.0 mm. Average diameter 2.1            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 10YR 4/4.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial interspecific            varieties.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Heavy amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 20.0°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8/6 to 2.5Y 8/8.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 22.7 mm. Average width 19.7 mm.            Average depth 6.1 mm. Color varies from 10YR 7/8 to 10YR            6/8.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Slightly waffled.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 2.5Y 5/4 to 2.5Y 8/6.            Overspread with 5R 2/2 to 7.5R 2/2.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, medium adherence to flesh.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 21.7 mm. Average width 18.7 mm.            Average thickness 10.2 mm.        -   Form.—Obovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 1.0 mm.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout. One shallow groove on            each side of suture extending from base to apex.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further outward from            suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Small, extending from base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 6/6 to 10YR 6/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 13.7 mm. Average width            10.9 mm. Average depth 5.1 mm.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 9/4 to 5Y 8.5/6.-   Use:    -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of    eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh    bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program. No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been    noted under normal cultural practices. The present new variety of    interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described    may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and    cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present    description is that of the variety grown under the ecological    conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecifictree, substantially as illustrated and described.